THEPHILIPPINECOASTGUARDLAWOF2009

RepublicofthePhilippines

CongressofthePhilippines
MetroManila
FourteenthCongress
ThirdRegularSession

BegunandheldinMetroManila,onMonday,thetwenty-seventh
dayofJuly,twothousandnine.

[REPUBLICACTNO.9993]

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE COASTGUARD AS AN ARMED AND

UNIFORMED SERVICE ATTACHED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND
COMMUNICATIONS,THEREBYREPEALINGREPUBLICACTNO.5173,ASAMENDEDAND

FOROTHERPURPOSES
Beit enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION1.Title.–ThisActshallbeknownasthe“PhilippineCoastGuardLawof2009”
SECTION2.Establishment.– ThePhilippineCoastGuard,hereinafterreferredtoasthePCG,is
herebyestablishedasanarmedanduniformedserviceattachedtotheDepartmentofTransportationand
Communications(DOTC):Provided,Thatintimesofwar,asdeclaredbyCongress,thePCGorparts
thereof,shallbeattachedtotheDepartmentofNationalDefense.
SEC.3.PowersandFunctions.–The PCG shall have the following powers and functions:
(a)Toenforceregulationsinaccordancewithallrelevantmaritimeinternationalconventions,treaties
orinstrumentsandnationallawsforthepromotionofsafetyoflifeandpropertyatseawithinthemaritime
jurisdiction of the Philippines and conduct port state control implementation;
(b) Toconductinspectionsonallmerchantshipsandvessels,includingbutshallnotbelimitedto
inspectionspriortodeparture,toensureandenforcecompliancewithsafetystandards,rulesandregulations;
(c)To detain, stop or prevent a ship or vessel which does not comply with safety standards, rules
andregulationsfromsailingorleavingport;
(d) Toconductemergencyreadinessevaluationonmerchantmarinevessels;
(e) SubjecttotheapprovaloftheSecretaryoftheDOTC,toissueandenforcerulesandregulations
forthepromotionofsafetyandlifeandpropertyatseaonallmaritime-relatedactivities;
 THEPHILIPPINECOASTGUARDLAWOF2009

(f) Tocoordinate,develop,establish,maintainandoperateaidstonavigation,vesseltrafficsystem,
maritime communications and search and rescue facilities within the maritime jurisdiction of the
Philippines;
(g)To remove, destroy or tow to port, sunken or floating hazards to navigation, including illegal
fishtrapsandvessels,atorclosetosealaneswhichmaycausehazardtothemarineenvironment;
(h) Toissuepermitsforthesalvageofvesselsandtosuperviseallmarinesalvageoperations,as
wellasprescribeandenforcerulesandregulationsgoverningthesame;
(i) Torenderaidtopersonsandvesselsindistressandconductsearchandrescueinmarine
accidentswithinthemaritimejurisdictionofthePhilippines,includingthehighseas,inaccordancewith
applicableinternationalconventions.Intheperformanceofthisfunction,thePCGmayenlisttheservices
ofothergovernmentagenciesandthemerchantmarinefleet;
(j) Toinvestigateandinquireintothecausesofallmaritimeaccidentsinvolvingdeath,casualties
anddamagetoproperties;
(k) Toassistintheenforcementandmaintenanceofmaritimesecurity,preventionorsuppression of
terrorism at sea, and performance of law enforcement functions in accordance with pertinent laws,
rulesandregulations;
(l) To assist in the enforcement of laws on fisheries, immigration, tariff and customs, forestry,
firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals, transnational
crimes and other applicable laws within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines;
(m) To board and inspect all types of merchant ships and watercrafts in the performance of its
functions;
(n) To enforce laws and promulgate and administer rules and regulations for the protection of
marineenvironmentandresourcesfromoffshoresourcesofpollutionwithinthemaritimejurisdictionof the
Philippines;
(o) Todevelopoilspillresponse,containmentandrecoverycapabilitiesagainstship-basedpollution;
(p)Togrant,withinitscapabilitiesandconsistentwithitsmandate,requestsforassistanceofother
governmentagenciesintheperformanceoftheirfunctions;
(q) Toorganize,trainandsupervisethePCGAuxiliary(PCGA)forthepurposeofassistingthe
PCGincarryingoutitsmandatedfunctions;and
(r) To perform such other functions that may be necessary in the attainment of the objectives of
thisAct.
SEC.4.GenderSensitivityProgram.–Genderconcernsshouldbeaddressedinallplanningactivities,
setting of priorities, allocating of resources and identifying actions and activities of the PCG. It should
alsoincorporateagendersensitiveperspectiveintheimplementationofsuchplansandprograms.
Gender sensitivity shall also be employed in all its internal policies, strategies, budget, projects,
structures and mechanisms, including but not limited to hiring, promotions, assignment, training
opportunities,payandbenefits. A genderperspectiveshouldlikewisebeintegratedinallitstraining
programs,especiallyformaritimesearchandrescue.
SEC.5.ThePCGCommandant.–ThePCGshallbeheadedbyaCommandantwhoshallcarrythe
rankofCoastGuardAdmiral:Provided,thatheshallbeappointedbythePresidentfromamongtheFlag
OfficersintheCoastGuardservice.Heshallholdacommand-at-seabadgeandmusthaveservedasa
 THEPHILIPPINECOASTGUARDLAWOF2009

DistrictCommanderofthePCG.TheCommandantshallhaveamaximumtermofthree(3)years. A
Commandantwhohasservedforthree(3)yearspriortohiscompulsoryretirementshallbeconsideredas
retiredandentitledtoallthebenefitsavailabletoaCoastGuardofficerasifheiscompulsorilyretired.
SEC.6.Organization.–ThePCGshallconsistofthefollowingcategoriesofofficersandemployees; (a)
PCGofficers;
(b) PCGnon-officers;
(c) PCGnon-uniformedpersonnel;
(d) Probationaryensign;and
(e) CadetsandCadettes.
SEC.7.OfficerRankDistribution.- TheofficerrankdistributionofthePCGshallbeasfollows: twoper
centum(2%)intheFlagOfficerrank;sixper centum(6%)intherankofCoastGuardCaptain;
twelvepercentum(12%)intherankofCoastGuardCommander;eighteenpercentum(18%)intherank
ofCoastGuardLieutenantCommander;twentypercentum(20%)intherankofCoastGuardLieutenant;
andforty-twopercentum(42%)intheranksofCoastGuardLieutenantJuniorGradeandCoastGuard Ensign;
Provided,Thatsuchdistributionisbasedontheratiobetweenofficerandnon-officerwhichis
one(1)officertoeveryseven(7)non-officer:Provided,finally,Thatiftheactualnumberinarankisless than the
number prescribed, the difference may be applied as an increase to the number prescribed in a
lowerrank.
SEC.8.DistributionofFlagOfficers.– ThenumberofFlagOfficershereinauthorizedshallbe
distributedtothevariousFlagOfficerranksinaccordancewiththescheduleashereunderprescribed:
Coast GuardAdmiral 1
Coast GuardViceAdmiral 1
Coast Guard RearAdmiral 5
CoastGuardCommodore 15
Total 22
Provided,ThatthehereinprescribedCoastGuardranksshallbedistinctfromthoseprescribedin
thePhilippineNavy:Provided,further, ThatthetotalnumberofFlagOfficersprescribedunderthis section
shall in no case be less than the number resulting from the implementation of Section 7 hereof,
otherwisethelattershallapply.
ThenumbercorrespondingtotheranksofCoastGuardAdmiral,CoastGuard ViceAdmiral,Coast
GuardRearAdmiral,andCoastGuardCommodore,asprovidedforinthissection,shallbethemaximum:
Provided,Thatiftheactualnumberinarank,exceptinthecaseofCoastGuardAdmiralandCoastGuard
ViceAdmiral,islessthanthenumberhereinprescribed,thedifferencemaybeappliedasanincreaseto
thenumberprescribedinthelowerrank:Provided,finally,Thatnoofficershallbepromotedtotherank
ofCoastGuardCommodoreorhigherunlessthereisanexistingvacancy,andtheofficerisoccupyinga
positioninthetableoforganizationthatrequirestherankofwhichheisbeingconsideredforpromotion.
SEC.9. MaximumTenureinRank. –ThemaximumtenureofofficersintheranksofCaptainand
FlagOfficerinthePCGareherebyprescribedasfollows:
Rank MaximumTenureinRank
Coast GuardAdmiral three(3)years
Coast GuardViceAdmiral three(3)years
Coast Guard RearAdmiral three(3)years
CoastGuardCommodore five(5)years
CoastGuardCaptain seven(7)years
 THEPHILIPPINECOASTGUARDLAWOF2009
Unlessearlierseparated,retiredorpromotedtothenexthigherrankoroccupyingapositioncalling for the
higher rank in the PCG table of organization, Captains and Flag Officers shall be compulsorily
retiredupontheattainmentofthemaximumtenureinrankhereinprescribed,oruponreachingtheageof
compulsoryretirementwhichevercomesearlier: Provided,Thatofficersalreadyholdingtheseranks
upontheapprovalofthisActmaybeallowedone(1)yearmoreoftenureinrankbeforethemaximum tenure
provided in this section shall be applied to them, unless they shall have already reached the
compulsoryretirementageunderexistinglaws,inwhichcasethecompulsoryretirementageshallprevail.
SEC. 10. Maximum Tenure in Position. –Officersholdingthefollowingkeypositionsarehereby
limitedtoamaximumtenureofthree(3)years,unlessotherwiseearlierrelievedbycompetentauthority
orcompulsorilyretiredunderexistinglaws:
CoastGuardCommandant;
CoastGuardDeputyCommandant;and
Coast Guard District Commander.
Provided, ThatexceptfortheCommandant,nootherofficershallbeassigned/designatedtothe
aforementionedkeypositionsorpromotedtotherankofCommodoreorhigherifhehaslessthan(1)year
ofactiveserviceremainingpriortocompulsoryretirement.
SEC.11.OrganizationofaPCGAuxiliary(PCGA).–ThePCGshallcontinuetomaintain,supervise,
developandtrainthePCGAasacivilianvolunteerorganizationunderthedirectcontrolandsupervision
ofthePCGCommandant.ThePCGAshallassistthePCGinthepromotionofsafetyoflifeandproperty
atsea,thepreservationofthemarineenvironmentanditsresources,theconductofmaritimesearchand
rescue,themaintenanceofaidstonavigationandsuchotheractivitiesthatenhancemaritimecommunity
relationswhichincludecivicaction,participationundertheNationalService TrainingProgram,youth
development,recreationalsafetyandotherrelatedactivities.
SEC.12.Appointments.–AppointmentsofPCGofficers,whichshallbeintheinitialrankofCoast Guard
Ensign, shall be made by the Secretary of the DOTC upon the recommendation of the PCG
Commandant. Theinitialappointmentranksofchaplains,dentists,lawyers,medicaldoctorsand
veterinariansshallbeCoastGuardLieutenant.
No person shall be appointed as an officer of the PCG unless he is a natural born citizen of the
Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of appointment, physically fit and is a
baccalaureatedegreeholder.TheappointmentofthePCGCommandantandFlagOfficersshallbeapproved
bythePresidentupontherecommendationoftheSecretaryoftheDOTC.AppointmentsofallPCGnon-
officersshallbemadebythePCGCommandant.Appointmentsofallnon-uniformedpersonnelshallbe
inaccordancewiththeCivilServicelaws,rulesandregulations.
SEC.13.Promotions.–ThepromotionofPCGofficers,assubmittedbythePCGOfficersSelection
andPromotionBoard,shallberecommendedbythePCGCommandantfortheapprovaloftheSecretary
oftheDOTC:Provided,ThatthepromotiontotherankofFlagOfficersinthePCGshallbesubmittedby a Board
of Senior Officers to the PCG Commandant for the approval of the President upon the
recommendationoftheSecretaryoftheDOTC:Provided,further,Thatsaidofficersshallpossessallthe
qualifications and none of the disqualification provided under pertinent laws, rules and regulations,
specifically on the completion of the required schooling, training and minimum time and grade for said
ranks.
The PCG Commandant shall approve the promotion of PCG non-officers to the next higher rank
basedontherecommendationofthePCGSelectionandPromotionBoardforNon-Officers: Provided,
ThatspecialormeritoriouspromotionshallbeextendedtoanyPCGnon-officerforactsofinconspicuous
courageoroutstandingachievementintheCoastGuardserviceasdeterminedbythePCGSelectionand
 THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD LAW OF 2009

PromotionBoardforNon-Officers.Thepromotionofnon-uniformedemployeesshallbegovernedby
CivilServicelaws,rulesandregulations.
SEC.14.SalariesandOtherBenefits.–TheuniformedpersonnelofthePCGshallreceivethesame base
pay, longevity pay, hazard pay and other benefits and allowances as are now or hereafter may be
authorizedforcorrespondingsalarygradesandranksintheArmedForcesofthePhilippines(AFP)until
suchtimethatanewlawisenactedforthepurpose. Thesalariesandallowancesofthenon-uniformed
employeesofthePCGshallbeinaccordancewithCivilServicelaws,rulesandregulations.
SEC.15.ActiveService.–ForpurposesofthisAct,theactiveserviceofPCGpersonnelhereof shall refer
to services rendered as an officer, non-officer, probationary ensign, or those rendered as a civilian
official or employee in the PCG prior to the date of separation or retirement from the PCG:
Provided,Thatthetermactiveserviceshallincludeconfirmedservicesrenderedasacivilianemployeein
thePhilippinegovernment.
SEC.16.DisciplinaryAction.–TheapplicableandpertinentprovisionsoftheAFPMilitaryJustice
SystemshallbeadoptedindisciplinarycasesagainstPCGofficersandnon-officers.Theapplicablerules,
regulationsandguidelinespromulgatedbytheCivilServiceCommissionshallgoverncasesagainstPCG non-
uniformedemployees.
SEC. 17.Retirement.–Uponattainingfifty-six(56)yearsofageoruponaccumulationofthirty
(30)yearsofcontinuoussatisfactoryactiveservice,whichevercomeslater,aPCGofficerornon-officer
shallbecompulsorilyretired:Provided,Thatsaidofficerornon-officershallhaveaminimumoftwenty
(20)yearsofactiveservice.Theretirementofnon-uniformedpersonnelshallbegovernedbyCivilService
laws,rulesandregulations.
SEC. 18.Retirement Benefits. – Monthly retirement pay of officers and non-officers shall be fifty
percent(50%)ofbasepayandlongevitypayofthenexthighergradelastheldincaseoftwenty(20)years
ofactiveservice,increasingbytwoandone-halfpercent(2½%)foreveryyearofservicerenderedbeyond twenty
(20) years to a maximum on ninety percent (90%) for thirty-six (36) years of active service and
over.Theretirementbenefitsofnon-uniformedpersonnelshallbegovernedbyCivilService/Government
ServiceInsuranceSystemLaw.
SEC.19.SeparationfromService.–Officerandnon-officerswhovoluntarilyresignorotherwise
failtocomplywiththestandardsofcompetenceandproficiencyofthePCG,shallbeseparatedfromthe
serviceunderexistinglaws,rulesandregulations.Theseparationofnon-uniformedpersonnelshallbein
accordancewithCivilServicelaws,rulesandregulations.
SEC.20.CollectionofRevenues. –ThePCGshallcollectfees,dues,chargesandfinesrelevantto
theexerciseofitsvariousfunctions.
SEC.21.RulesandRegulations.– TheSecretaryoftheDOTCshallissuerulesandregulations,
determine,fix,and/orprescribecharges,rates,penaltiespertinent,asmaybenecessary,toimplementthe
provisionsofthisAct,aswellastheprovisionofacts,decreesandordersrelatedtotheimplementationof the
PCG functions.
SEC.22.PCGPropertiesandLighthouseReservations.– ThePCGshallcontinuetoexercise
exclusiveownership,possession,controlandsupervisionoverallpropertiestransferredtoitbyvirtueof
ExecutiveOrderNo.475dated30March1998andExecutiveOrderNo.477dated15April1998,such as
interalia,vessels,watercrafts,firearms,armaments,munitions,communicationsandelectronic
equipment,vehicles,buildings,realestateandlighthousereservations.
 SEC. 23. EstablishmentandExpansionofCoastGuardBasesandFacilities. –Incoordination with
other appropriate government agencies, the PCG shall develop and enhance its capabilities in the
performanceofitsmandatedfunctionsandestablishitsstrategicpresence.
SEC.24. Appropriations.– TheSecretaryoftheDOTCshallimmediatelypreparethenecessary
guidelinestocovertheestablishmentofthePCGasanattachedagencytotheDOTC,theinitialfunding of which
shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the PCG and, thereafter, in the
annualGeneralAppropriationsAct.
SEC.25.TransitoryProvisions.–AllpreviousappointmentsandpromotionsofPCGuniformed
personnel made prior to the enactment of thisAct shall remain valid and subsisting.
SEC.26.SeparabilityClause.–Ifforanyreason,anyprovisionofthisActisdeclaredunconstitutional
orinvalid,suchpartsnotaffectedtherebyshallremaininfullforceandeffect.
SEC. 27.Repealing Clause.–Alllaws,decrees,executiveorders,rulesandregulationsandother
issuancesorpartsthereofwhichareinconsistentwiththisActareherebyrepealed,amendedormodified
accordingly.
SEC.28.Effectivity.–ThisActshalltakeeffectfifteen(15)daysafteritspublicationintheOfficial
Gazetteorinanytwo(2)newspapersofgeneralcirculations.

Approved,

This act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3389 and House Bill No. 5151 was finally
passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on December 9, 2009 and December 8, 2009,
respectively.

Approved: Feb 12, 2010